This week was back to Sacramento for the July Board of Governors meeting.
Then back home to my boy Neo.
And a happy birthday to Louise Brown, born July 25, 1978. The first “test tube baby,” born after in vitro fertilization – one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 20th century.
Good morning California.
It is July 25, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Santa Ana College Team MEKAH Named NASA ORBIT Finalist
Four Santa Ana College students who are members of the STEM Core program were named finalists of the NASA ORBIT challenge. NASA Orbit is a competition where university and community college students across the nation develop commercial applications of NASA patents to solve problems on earth or design next-generation technologies for space exploration. As a reward for advancing to the finalist phase, the team received $15,000 in NASA funding to further develop their project and travel to Houston, Texas for the culminating event hosted at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
Airplane Cabin Simulators Help Cypress College Students
Train for Real World Scenarios
Two airplane simulators now offer students hands-on training for cabin crew in the Aviation and Travel Careers department. This semester’s Passenger Services and Safety class, led by Kathleen Reiland, were the first to use the new simulated environment. The cabin trainers represent Boeing 737 and Airbus A-320 aircraft. The primary purpose of these airplane door trainers is to provide hand-on procedural training for cabin crew members in normal, abnormal, and emergency scenarios, according to ATC Department Chair Captain Ed Valdez.
San Diego Miramar College Entrepreneurship Program
Offers Second Chance for Students at Miramar Brig
A partnership between Miramar College and the Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar, is opening doors for incarcerated service members – offering not just educational opportunities, but a pathway to reinvention. Through the Rising Scholars Network, students housed at the military prison can now pursue an Associate of Science in Entrepreneurship, as part of a statewide initiative supporting currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. Miramar is the only community college in California currently offering a full degree program inside a federal military correctional facility.
In Case You Missed It
Human + AI: Leading the next workforce transformation
For more than a century, community colleges have responded to major economic shifts, continually redefining their role in preparing America’s workforce. They expanded during industrialization, adapted to the rise of advanced manufacturing, embraced the information age and became the nation’s primary engine for workforce development. Artificial intelligence (AI) represents the next major workforce transformation and presents a defining leadership challenge for community colleges.
Public discussion of artificial intelligence often centers on job loss. Although automation will reduce demand for some tasks, this framing is too narrow. AI is transforming the way people work by shifting routine and analytical tasks to intelligent systems while expanding the role of human expertise.
*****
How to reimagine the community college library for student success
Community colleges are serving students with increasingly diverse needs. Many students balance jobs, caregiving responsibilities, financial pressures, and educational goals that rarely follow a traditional path. They are also navigating commuter lifestyles, technology gaps, challenges with basic needs, and educational systems that can feel fragmented and difficult to access.
At the same time, many campus libraries still reflect an earlier model built around physical collections and quiet study. As student expectations evolve, institutions have an opportunity to rethink what a library can be.
For community colleges, the library may be the last building on campus capable of stitching together academic support, basic needs, technology access, and a sense of belonging into one visible student success destination.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Shasta College:
One last post before we bid farewell to our international students from Soonchunhyang Univeristy. Biology class is FUN, especially when President Frank drops by and tours the completely remodeled greenhouse on campus with us!
*****
From Norco College:
Yesterday, we celebrated the end of another successful academic year with our classified professionals group photos!
Celebrating who we are, the invaluable work we do, the students we serve, and all our achievements from 2025–2026.
*****
From Allan Hancock College:
Congratulations to Hancock alumn Jamal Gragston on earning a spot in the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s prestigious National Science Foundation summer research program!
We’re incredibly proud to see Jamal building on the strong STEM foundation he developed at Hancock
*****
From Ohlone College:
That’s a wrap! Cheers to our Theatre and Dance Department’s Summerfest Production of Urinetown the Musical. Let’s give a round of applause to our students for putting on this fun, satirical show.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts A Series of Early College Academies
Last week, the Dual Enrollment and Early College Department at Bakersfield College hosted the Early College Launch Academy and the Early College Level Up Academy. The first event was designed to introduce new students to the program and the second to guide returning students through the ‘next steps’ of the program. The goal is to help students feel confident and prepared for their Early College journey before the start of the academic year.
During the free one-day events, students learned about dual and concurrent enrollment, financial aid resources, campus resources, student responsibilities, navigating college tools, and much more. Students also got to participate in a variety of interactive activities and workshops all designed to engage attendees while sharing important details about the Early College Program.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.
That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!
With much hope and joy,
Your Chancellor,
-sonya
#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora
